The Shelter - 1st Half In Text - Plus Full Audio Version

Note: This is the 1st HALF of this piece, the 2nd Half ending part is ready for you on the Soup at "Poems by Mark Stellinga" --- or you can simply listen to the full AUDIO of it. It's a wonderful piece. While setting up a shelter for a picnic we were having in Twin Falls Park, to celebrate the fourth a few years back, A dainty, gray-haired woman took me somewhat by surprise while I was pulling paper plates and napkins from a sack. I glanced away to offer her an understanding smile - which she returned - then softly said, “You’ve got a perfect day.” Then added, “Would you mind if I sat down for just a bit? My husband’s going to join me, and I know he’s on his way.” “No, of course not,” I replied, “take all the time you need, “no one else ‘ll get here for at least an hour or two.” “Thank you, dear,” she answered, “it’s so comforting to know that this old shelter still gets used by friendly folks like you. “Harold and I put up the funds to have this shelter built, and we’ve been watching over it since 1895! And up until we had to leave - in 1964 - there were, I don’t suppose, no more than 9 or 10 alive “Living in this tiny town - or even near Twin Falls - who hadn’t used this lovely place for something really nice. How nice it is to see at least the shelter’s not been changed, and…built for all to use for free…it’s hard to beat the price!” “You’re right about the setting,” I agreed, “it’s like a dream…and everyone who knows this place goes on about the view… But, as for being ‘free of charge’, well…maybe some time back…but I can guarantee you, lady…that’s no longer true. “Today they rent this shelter out for sixty bucks an hour…and if you use the in-ground grill, it costs you twenty more! They added lights in two-oh-two…the grill in two-oh-three…and hired outside help to groom the grounds in two-oh-four. “Up ‘til then - the brochure says - ‘church groups kept things neat…and work required to make repairs was done by volunteers’. The very-well-kept outhouse disappeared in two-oh-five, when the Twin Falls city council hired some big-shot engineers “To build that pair of really gaudy men’s and lady’s restrooms…and swap out all the tables to aluminum - from wood. Most the folks I’ve spoken with -- who know it like it - ‘was’ -- don’t believe the changes that they made are all that good. “I’ve heard they’re trying to close the park…tear the shelter down - and thin the trees to build some fancy homes for millionaires.” Then - holding up a clipboard - I said, “This is my petition…and once I have the signatures of everyone who cares… “I think we’ll have enough to stop their plan to ruin the park, and, though no longer free to use…at least it will survive.” Suddenly, it dawned on me…she’d said that her and her husband had paid to have the shelter built in --- 1895’! Now, be sure to pull up the 2nd HALF ending - it's a wonderful poem.